Shelter Tails: Two dogs get new homes for Christmas

Thursday

Jan 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Two area shelters got their Christmas wishes granted with the adoption of Liza, a Plott hound mix and new mom rescued from death row at an out-of-state shelter, and Butch, an adult pit bull mix abandoned at a shelter who waited two years for a home of his own.

Mary Esparra

Two area shelters got their Christmas wishes granted with the adoption of Liza, a Plott hound mix and new mom rescued from death row at an out-of-state shelter, and Butch, an adult pit bull mix abandoned at a shelter who waited two years for a home of his own.

After a difficult C-section delivery, only two of Liza's eight puppies had survived and were later adopted, but she remained at the Sullivan County SPCA homeless. Her story of how she came to the SCSPCA pregnant and emaciated ran in this column days before Christmas.

Debby and Dave Antonio and their son, Michael, of Otisville, had lost their last dog five years ago. Debby was finally ready for a new dog and had been searching the Pets of the Week pages for the perfect dog for a while. Then she read Liza's story.

"Your article caught my eye, and she sounded so perfect," Debby said. "This one just hit me, because there weren't any restrictions. You wrote about her being fantastic around all people of all ages and all types of animals."

Two days after Liza's story ran, Debby and Dave went to the shelter, and their application to adopt her was approved.

"We just fell in love with her and took her home," said Debby. "She's wonderful; she's a really good dog. She's really smart, very flexible and travels well in the car. She's been down to the city three times, and she's very sociable with all the family and with their dogs.

"She's adaptable. She lets you know when she wants to play or if you want to play with her, she'll play. I bring her a blanket when she's had enough of everybody, and she just lays down on it. She has a lot of personality and a wonderful disposition."

Dana Hawk, president of the SCSPCA, is thrilled at Liza's adoption.

"Of course, all of us knew Liza was a great dog, and we are so appreciative of your article that alerted the community to her situation. Thank you!" Hawk said.

Hawk was also amazed at the community's generosity in sending in donations of about $600 after Liza's story ran, which paid off Liza's vet bills.

After being abandoned at the Humane Society of Blooming Grove on Christmas Eve 2011, Butch became a favorite

among shelter volunteers and staff. But potential adopters would shy away from him. It didn't matter that he was obedient, friendly and great with kids; he was a large adult pit bull mix.

"Butch has been part of our shelter family for two years," said shelter manager Missy Veraldo. "After his best friend in the world, Petunia, found her original owners after two years at the shelter, Butch suffered a major depression. We were afraid for him, because he no longer wanted to play ball, or come off of his bed.

"Believe it or not, it was my Christmas prayer that he find a home. Wilson Eng of Chester walked through the door the next day and wanted a best friend. He and Butch were an instant match."